I froze stiff at the appearance of an unexpected person.
Why on earth was this person in the Midias shopping district?
She should be in the distant Crawford Principality.
“This place has some really strange things. Even a place that trims hair like this. This shop must be Your Grace’s work too, right?”
“How are you so sure?”
“Your Grace always creates something new and ingenious.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Besides, the rumors about you are incredible? They say you’re the pioneer of all trends.”
Well, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
It was true that I’d brought major changes to the Empire’s society, which had been stagnant for hundreds of years.
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
“Primarily for vacation. Perias has become much more famous than before lately.”
Princess Eustia said, pointing to her clothes.
It was a one-piece similar to those worn by the people lined up outside, but more lavishly decorated.
She must have added a few requests when ordering custom.
“I’m not sure if you’ll like it. It’s a style that didn’t exist before.”
“How could I not like something so comfortable and pretty?”
“I’m grateful for the high praise.”
As the conversation flowed naturally, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘This is perfect timing. I could get some opinions.’
Princess Eustia had lived her entire life in the uppermost class.
Having cut her teeth in high society, she might have useful stories to share.
“What about things besides clothes? For example, this beauty salon seems fine.”
I naturally steered the conversation.
Then Princess Eustia wore a satisfied expression.
“It’s a space I really like. Especially that plate glass over there is impressive. Do you see?”
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone’s looking at me with envious eyes.”
The reservations had long ended, but the maids on errands hadn’t left yet.
They were watching the hair-cutting through the plate glass.
Princess Eustia could observe the whole situation through the mirror.
This was exactly the point I’d aimed for.
‘She nailed it.’
It was a device deliberately made to satisfy vanity.
As expected, Princess Eustia had sharp eyes.
But then she pouted her lips and continued.
“But being a spectacle for too long isn’t great. It would be better if there was more personal time and space.”
After fully enjoying the envious gazes so far, what was this sudden talk?
But I quickly realized what she meant.
The hair styling time at the Midias beauty salon was quite long.
If the entire process was watched from outside, it could feel burdensome.
“How about cutting the hair here, but receiving other services separately inside?”
“That seems just right.”
“Since preparations aren’t ready today, we’ll put up screens from now on.”
“As expected, Your Grace overflows with sense.”
Princess Eustia smiled faintly and checked her face in the mirror.
‘Even to me, it doesn’t look bad?’
For just a few months of practice, the hairdressers’ results stood out.
They were subtly high-status like stewards, so I was a bit worried at first.
But so far, they’d followed well.
It seemed okay to give them better treatment.
At this rate, it would generate very high profits.
‘Moreover, more people will want the hairdresser positions in Midias.’
To prevent service quality from dropping, I needed to secure plenty of good talent.
I noted the hairdressers’ names and tried to wrap up the conversation.
“Then, see you next time.”
“Ah, wait a moment. There’s something I haven’t told you yet…….”
Just as I was about to bid farewell, Princess Eustia hurriedly stopped me.
Trailing off like that, she seemed to have some concern.
“Speak comfortably.”
“This.”
Instead of answering, she held out a letter.
I looked at the envelope with suspicious eyes.
‘No way, it can’t be a love letter, right?’
I’d long noticed that Princess Eustia subtly had feelings for me.
We’d shared hardships for quite a while, so affection must have built up.
But I couldn’t accept her feelings.
Imagine my wife chasing me with warhammers in both hands.
Even if I hadn’t done much wrong, I’d have to run for my life first?
“What is this?”
“It’s an invitation.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve officially decided to marry Marquis Soltri this time. I’d like you to come and grace the occasion.”
I inwardly sighed in relief.
‘Whew!’
The Crawford Principality was very far, so attending the wedding wouldn’t be easy.
Still, it wasn’t a love letter, so that was something.
“Marquis Soltri…….”
“Yes, you’ve seen him before? My former fiancé, Izkaya.”
“Ah, you mean that gentleman from back then. Congratulations.”
This was truly sincere.
A connection that wouldn’t lead anywhere anyway; if Princess Eustia got married, it would end cleanly.
However, her eyes held regret.
She probably still had some lingering feelings.
In my memory, that Izkaya guy felt a bit immature.
“I hope you’ll definitely come.”
“I’ll try my best, Princess.”
“Yes.”
I accepted the invitation with a light heart.
Since I’d received great help in many ways, this much was worth going for.
I was planning to visit the Crawford Principality and Delriat at least once anyway.
I was curious if my businesses and the governor-general’s office were running well.
Letters made it hard to grasp the actual situation.
But suddenly, the date on the invitation caught my eye.
‘About two months left.’
I could head out right after the debate ended.
I greeted Princess Eustia and left the beauty salon.
Even though the weekend was approaching, the streets were utterly deserted.
Because everyone had gone to watch the debate.
I leisurely headed to the capital court.
Obviously, not just anyone could enter here.
Yet, truly a massive crowd had gathered.
“His Grace the Duke of Carius has arrived!”
“Smash those pig-like lawyers to pieces!”
“How much tyranny have they committed so far? Please wield the hammer of justice!”
They all cheered for me.
In fact, most of the people gathered here had little to do with former official privilege.
There weren’t that many retired judges and prosecutors to begin with.
How often would an ordinary person have to face a former official lawyer?
But it was hard to say it was completely unrelated.
Victim cases popped up from time to time.
‘Anyway, cheering so passionately means…….’
They wanted to see a just world.
Or perhaps due to the suppressed reality so far.
I nodded slightly while meeting eyes with the people.
I couldn’t respond to each one, so I substituted with light eye greetings.
Even so, the enthusiastic atmosphere grew stronger.
“This way, Your Grace.”
Suddenly, Cordell McNeil stepped forward to guide me.
It was quite a funny sight.
A guy whose daily routine was pretending to scurry around working, acting so properly.
I looked at him in disbelief.
Then Cordell, with an awkward expression, approached and whispered.
“Please save my face just this once.”
“Why? Is someone watching?”
“Ahem!”
Probably wanted to make a good impression on the lady among the hairdressers.
It wasn’t difficult, so I decided to let it slide.
Ah, of course, not for free.
“You’ll have to properly grant one request next time.”
“I’m always ready.”
“No matter what it is?”
“Of course.”
I had no intention of asking for something excessive.
Still, flattening the nose of this slippery master was worth it.
As payment for pretending not to know.
“Let’s go, Sir McNeil.”
“Yes!”
I entered the court with Cordell.
Even as the heavy door behind closed, the people’s cheering voices didn’t diminish.
They’d probably keep it up until the debate ended.
‘Since I came to smash them anyway, let’s rampage properly.’
Even without the citizens’ demands, I intended to crush them from the start.
The fervent cheers just fueled my fighting spirit more.
Hundreds of lawyers were gathered in the conference hall.
Moreover, all glaring at me with fierce eyes.
Soon, a gravely trembling voice slowly filled the space.
“N-now, we will begin the debate on former official privilege. Representatives, please come forward!”
Such things were always Josef Padiya’s role.
His voice was really good, making him useful in these situations.
Of course, the problem was his narrow view biased toward the Sierre noble faction.
Soon, the lawyers’ representative came out and greeted the audience.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Wesley Malone, president of the Imperial Bar Association.”
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Then thunderous applause poured out.
Loud enough to reminiscent of a concert hall.
After a brief pause, Judge Padiya looked at me.
“This is Duke Abel Carius, who convened this debate.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
I greeted politely, but no reaction came.
In truth, I’d expected this long ago.
I’d made a ruling that took away their rice bowls; how could they look kindly?
They probably hated the sight of me.
Of course, such glaring didn’t affect me at all.
“Those wishing to speak, please raise your hand. This debate will proceed by giving initiative to each side once.”
“Who goes first?”
“It would be best for you two to decide that separately.”
I stared steadily at Marquis Wesley Malone.
This man was a typical figure of the Giovanni noble faction, with the most dissatisfaction about this trial.
That’s why he came here even with the title of Bar Association president.
‘Shall we pierce through?’
Without much thought, I immediately opened the status window.
Name: Wesley Malone
Status: Marquis
Position: President of the Imperial Bar Association
Relationship: Indifferent
<Character Info>
Condition: Extreme anger from tarnished honor, slight concern about grandson’s trial, confidence in winning the debate.
Overall Ability: B
Excluding status and position, not much to see.
Overall ability was only B rank, and no separate skills.
But there were points worth noting.
‘Grandson?’
I immediately tilted my head toward Judge Colrund Emir.
“I hear his grandson is on trial; do you know anything?”
“Ah, you mean Bilber Malone.”
“What’s the case?”
“He got into a fistfight with a friend. Probably the issue is whether it’s mutual assault or not. Bilber Malone was quite badly injured.”
“I see. Thanks for the info.”
Thanks to Judge Emir, I got one weapon.
Adding an example would strengthen the logic further.
I extended my right hand toward Wesley Malone.
“You go first.”
Yielding the first strike.
I was confident enough to win anyway.
Marquis Malone stood up with gleaming eyes.
Then he immediately said this.
“How can you be so selfish?”
What, this guy?
Even after yielding, he’s bitching.